Last week I gave a presentation to the Sugar Grove (Illinois) Library's Mystery Readers Book Club. This group combined with a sister group--all of whom had read the Cozy Cat Press group mystery CHASING THE CODEX--and it was a rousing discussion. It was quite obvious that these ladies had READ this book and even though I had written a chapter in it and had edited it--and even reread it in preparation for the presentation, they were the experts. Even so, it was great fun answering their questions about the unique problems associated with writing a group mystery. Who has the hardest job? The author who writes the first chapter or the one who writes the last chapter? How is editing a group mystery different from editing a solo-authored book? Did our authors enjoy the group writing experience? And so on...

Here are some photos from the events.

​

Coming soon! My new Essie Cobb senior sleuth mystery FIRECRACKERED. Yes, it's true. After years of waiting, you Essie fans can relax. She's back! The book launch will occur on Saturday, June 25. If you happen to be in Naperville, Illinois, on that date, please stop by Half Price Books at 2867 95th St., between 10 a.m. and noon and pick up your copy hot off the press! I will be happy to sign it for you too.

If you can't be there for the fun, you will be able to pre-order your copy on Amazon in the next week or so. Make sure you take this opportunity to get your copy early.

So, just what sort of fun and feistiness is Essie up to this time?

Here's the synopsis from the back cover:

"Fireworks are supposed to light up the night sky on the Fourth of July. They’re not supposed to come flying into the front lawn of the Happy Haven Retirement Home and strike one of the residents in his keister. But that’s just what happens to gallant Lester Mills, new resident, and charming gentleman, who has risen to offer his seat to fellow resident and amateur sleuth Essie Cobb, when the rocket’s red glare smashes into both of them. As the unconscious Lester is hailed a hero for saving Essie and hauled off to the local hospital, Essie is left to wonder how and why the firecracker landed so precisely on both of them. Was it really an accident? Did a rocket from the nearby city fireworks’ display go awry? Or is there something more sinister behind the explosion? Essie is determined to find out––after all, what else is Reardon’s most prolific senior citizen/detective to do when she’s been FIRECRACKERED?

That would be Cozette, my publisher's mascot. Cozette is the sweet kitty sitting on that pile of books, encouraging all lovers of cozy mysteries to check out her favorite publisher's site--www.cozycatpress.com

My third Pamela Barnes acoustic mystery VOICE MAIL MURDER is on sale for your Kindle for only 99 cents until the end of this month when it will return to its regular price of $2.99. So---grab your copy while it's a bargain!This cozy mystery tells the tale of an amorous football coach and his numerous affairs. Can Pamela determine who stabbed him in the back in that sleazy motel just from listening to his voice mail messages?

It's been about a year since I've written a cozy mystery. My last was the fourth Essie Cobb senior sleuth adventure GHOSTED. I typically alternate between my Pamela Barnes acoustic mysteries and Essie, so technically I'm due to produce another Pamela. However, I now have five Pamelas and four Essies. Maybe I should try another Essie so I have an even number of those. I just don't know. It would certainly be easier if I had a strong plot in my mind just percolating to come out--but I don't. For a while, I thought I was going to do a terrorist-oriented plot for Pamela with her tracking down a radical cell about to explode a dirty bomb in a large city where her husband Rocky just happened to be attending an amateur cooking contest. Unfortunately, I've gone over all the connections in my head and they don't work. I can see how Pamela could easily uncover hidden information on a supposed video announcement from a terrorist organization through her acoustic analysis skills. However, she'd no doubt use a recording that was broadcast on television which would provide the same information to all other acoustic specialists around the country--and there are some. I can't believe that she would be the only one to notice any embedded clues. I haven't totally given up on this plot line, but it's on hold until I'm certain I can bring it to fruition in a believable way.As for Essie, I have no clue where a fifth story might take her. One of my Facebook readers suggested I send her to Vegas. Surely, that would be fun, but as Essie has never left Happy Haven, except for local field trips and doctor appointments, it seems unlikely that she'd start now. I am completely open to ideas. Please, however, remember that Essie is spry in mind, but not in body and any adventures need to be somewhat limited physically for her.If any of my readers have any stories they would like to see Pamela or Essie (and by the way, Pamela and Essie actually live in the same town--Reardon, although they don't know each other), please let me know.

PAPOOSED, the second in my Essie Cobb Senior Sleuth mysteries, is a Christmas-themed cozy, complete with an infant boy that Essie and her fellow retirement home buddies find themselves having to hide and protect right before Christmas while they search for his missing mother. Just for you, this book will be free on Kindle from December 17 through the 19th. Consider it my Christmas present to you. I had so much fun writing this book and I love to reread it around Christmas time each year. I hope you will enjoy it too!